The Truth About Bath Salts and Exfoliates
Most of use bath salt as a means to improve a relaxing soaking in the bath, but many bath salts are being considered as beneficial to those with: migraine headaches. Usually a detox bath incorporating Epsom salt is made. Dead Sea salt is also used as an antiseptic and can also be used as a home remedy for cold sores. These bath products, often called “mud” or “baths,” can be added to bathwater or mixed into a bucket of hot water for a quick bath after a shower or bath.
Besides being used as bath salt, many salts from the Dead Sea are used as laundry detergents, as well as for household cleaning and food preparation. It contains sodium as does the seawater, and some minerals and potassium. These chemicals combine as salts when mixed with water, thus creating bath salts. These salts vary in texture, from coarse to silky, and they vary in price, depending on the number of minerals and other additive that have been added.
Safflower oils are sometimes added to bath salt for extra fragrance and for pore cleansing. Many times the oils are added in pure form or they can be substituted with vegetable oils. These bath salts can be used as essential body or bath products as well. Most often bath salt is seen as essential for those with skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.
Peppermint and tea tree oil both have antiseptic qualities. Lavender has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The best combination of these essential oils is to make a salt bath with the mixture of each one. Most often this combination is made with orange peel, witch hazel, rosemary, sandalwood, cypress, chamomile, and peppermint. A great way to use any of these essential oils is to make a recipe that includes them.
Dead Sea salts have many health benefits. These consist of over 2,000 minerals and salts. Most importantly they contain sodium and sulfur which have great healing properties. Some of the minerals found in dead sea salts are sulfur, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, silicon, iron, zinc, manganese, and selenium. These have healing effects on the skin, wounds, muscle and joint pain, respiratory problems, digestive problems, and blood pressure. They also have cleansing properties on the skin, the kidneys, the bladder and the blood.
As bath salt is used, the skin naturally exfoliates. This is a good time to add ingredients such as aloe vera, witch hazel, and slippery elm to help with inflammation and pain. The pain is relieved and the swelling goes down. As the blood vessels and capillaries release the water and salt mixture into the affected area, this helps the body remove the toxins that have accumulated in the skin, joint and other areas of the body and helps with pain and inflammation.
Use a combination of ingredients to achieve the best benefits from your salt bath and exfoliate. Combine 12 minutes soaking, four cups of water and three tablespoons of dried tea tree oil for a total of one hour of soak time. Another idea is to mix equal parts of warm water and ground sea salt for thirty minutes. Use this for a great soaking time. Combine the warm water and salt mixture for another great bath time option.
For a great exfoliating experience you can combine the same ingredients mentioned above for a great scrub. Mix equal parts of warm water and dried dead sea salt for up to forty minutes in a mixer. Scrub the dead sea salt scrub in circular motions and rinse thoroughly. You will enjoy improved circulation and a refreshed feeling after the scrub. If you have never exfoliated before you can usually get away with using a loofah or bath brush for this process. However, most people prefer to use the scrubbing tool that is provided by the company because it is easier and more convenient to use.